The remaining topaz day
Was chased off by the coming night
Sheets of grey blue were pulling at the dark corners of the sky
As we walked along the waters edge
Hand in hand
Swallowing the salty air
Enjoying the tug of wet sand against our bare toes

It was as if we were the only two people left in this world
We had escaped our troubled lives
Through the watercolor painted sunset before us
At least For a short while

We wanted for the sky to stop right where it was
As if we were Thomas Moran painting
But someone had other plans
And so
Before we parted ways
Returning to our obligated paths
We held on to one another and kissed once more
As stars began appearing
And blinking their applause

They lay carelessly
Bathing in the midday sun
One
Ignoring the unnecessary gifts of comfort
You worked so hard for
The other
Twitching in their sleep
More than likely
Chasing imaginary rabbits
But you can’t help but smile
Nothing quite beats the feel of their fur at your fingertips
And the knowledge
That they will never allow you to feel alone